Murin Katte in Bhatkal to be constructed at its original location

Bhatkal: The long-running Murin Katte dispute, which emerged during the widening of National Highway 66, appears to be moving towards a resolution, with Uttara Kannada MP Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri announcing that the structure will be rebuilt at its original location.

Addressing reporters in Bhatkal on Tuesday, Kageri said the decision was arrived at after several rounds of discussions involving district and local authorities, officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), police representatives and members of various social organisations. He said public sentiments were also taken into consideration before arriving at the decision.

The controversy had erupted after the Murin Katte structure was shifted from its original location to an alternative site as part of the highway expansion project, leading to objections at the local level.

According to Kageri, the revised plan envisages construction of the structure within the highway divider in a manner that ensures both safety and accessibility. Around 120 square feet of space has been earmarked for the proposed structure, and facilities such as lighting and other safety measures will also be provided.

He said efforts are under way to complete the required technical and legal formalities, and an engineering design is expected to be finalised shortly, following which construction work will commence.

Former Bhatkal MLA Sunil Naik welcomed the decision and called for an inquiry into the incidents related to the dispute. He said action should be taken against those responsible, while ensuring that innocent persons are not subjected to unnecessary hardship.

BJP leader Govinda Naik also welcomed the move and said long-term measures should be adopted to prevent similar disputes in the future and to maintain peace, communal harmony and social cohesion in the region.

Responding to a question regarding the protest called by certain organisations on June 5, Kageri said every individual and organisation in a democracy has the right to express its views and hold peaceful protests.

Earlier in the day, the MP and other leaders visited the disputed site and reviewed the situation on the ground.